Huawei develops own OS in case of Android ban

"We have prepared our own operating system, if it turns out we can no longer use these systems [Android], we will be ready and have our plan B", said Huawei mobile chief Richard Yu Chengdong, in an interview with German publication Die Welt.

The OS has been rumoured for years, but Huawei confirmed its viability with the South China Morning Post saying it could be used if the company were cut off from Android or Windows. As a matter of fact, media reports were coming in last year, when it was said the company was already "years" into building its OS.

For the time being, however, Huawei doesn't seem to be in a position that would lead to a ban similar to ZTE's, as the company keeps denying all spying accusations and calls for governments to provide evidence that it's working for Beijing. However, he mentioned that Huawei likes to work with its partners like Google and Microsoft, which provide the Android and Windows operating systems for Huawei's smartphone and laptop portfolio.

In the US, Huawei would have zero chance without the Android OS. Alternatively, it could develop its own processors for laptops just like it's developing a backup OS. "Android and Windows will always remain our first choices".

Banning Huawei from using Android and Windows sounds extreme, but with the USA asking its allies not to use the company's 5G equipment and even threatening to withhold intel from Germany if it does so, such a move isn't out of the question.